We are currently making our way through ice-filled waters to the Larsen C Ice Shelf and A68, a giant iceberg that's seven times the area of New York City! When we arrive at our destination, we will be conducting scientific research that seeks to answer a wide variety of questions about this largely unknown environment.
Why are the Larsen C Ice Shelf and A68 so important?
When ice shelves thin, break up (producing icebergs) and retreat as the atmosphere and ocean waters warm, ice flow from the inside of the ice-sheet accelerates and more mass is lost. The melting ice turns into a whole lot of water, contributing to a rise in global sea levels. Melting ice shelves and calved icebergs also release fresh water into an otherwise salty ocean, which can impact the very dense Antarctic bottom water. The formation of Antarctic bottom water is one of the major drivers of the thermohaline circulation in the oceans; this is a phenomenon that influences regional climates by transporting heat and providing vital nutrients to fishery grounds around the world!
So, how are we going to collect data?
Aerial drones and satellite remote-sensing technology will help the captain of Agulhas II find the easiest pathways through the ice.
